See is as sloppily likable as ever in “The Storm”

See Episode 3, “This Land is Your Land” Recap: Wren comes to Haniwa and confirms that rogue commander Tormada’s “God Thunder” (explosives) in the Trivantian arsenal are real. Magra and Tamacti Jun clash over the resolution of the Witchfinders’ resurrection in Pennsa. With Korfun’s help, Queen Kane attempts to flee imprisonment with baby Wolffe, but stabs Korfun and abandons the child in the process.

Recap of Episode 4, “The Storm”

Queen Kane escapes Pennsa and gets lost in the woods. Baba Voss leads Charlotte, Korfun, Haniwa and Wren on a mission to destroy the Trivantian arsenal. Lord Harlan and Ambassador Trovere initiate their own negotiations with the Trivantians, starting with potentially sympathetic High Counselor Nevla, called “The Bank.”

Nevla turns out to be a supporter of the mad bomber Tormada, who blows up the Trivantian Council (“The Triangle”), decapitating the Republic. Trovere is also part of the coup and tries to convince Harlan to stay with her. Baba Voss’ group arrives at the bomb-making factory and attempts to free Jerlamarel’s children, but they become trapped.

Review of Episode 4, “The Storm”

One of the guilty pleasures of the uneven See is Jason Momoa’ boundless charisma, physical presence and talent at carrying off big lug humor. His farewell to his dog, No, provides another one of those cute, sweet moments. Another plus is watching Queen Kane’s character because, love her or hate her, this crazy, centipede-chomping, rattlesnake-feasting lady certainly has a supernatural knack for survival.

A continual problem with See is its tendency to rely on lazy plotting, and Queen Kane’s opening escape from Pennsa highlights the issue once again: putting horse manure on one’s face doesn’t mask the scent of one’s body and clothes enough to fool a dog, yet the story tries to get away with it. Maybe dogs can’t smell in this new world.

This spotty disregard for character depth and logical consistency kneecaps See‘s narrative at the worst times. The stereotypical, immoral mad scientist Tormada operates exactly the way one would expect. Nevla’s sudden decision to back Tormada’s murderous treachery (blowing up the council a la Cersei detonating the Sept of Baelor in Game of Thrones) lacks motivation.

When Baba Voss picks up Ranger along the way on his desperate expedition, the highly expendable character has redshirt stamped all over him. That said, Ranger is still alive when the credits roll on “The Storm,” so perhaps he’ll last, but don’t bet a plug nickel on that outcome. Also, and be worried for No, because the dog’s demise may prove too attractive a free emotional punch for the writers to resist.

Yet, See also includes some wonderful scenes, character moments and dialog. The relationship between Lord Harlan and Trovere has been allowed to develop from a physical tryst to a star-crossed attraction thwarted by circumstance and betrayal; we feel for them, these characters who are both good at their cores but tangled in the chaos around them.

Viewers can enjoy watching See and episodes like “The Storm” if they connect with the goodness of its flawed heroes and the earnestness of its epic intentions; the show has a lot going for it, with its excellent visuals, CGI, nicely orchestrated fight sequences and some rip-roaringly good characters like Baba Voss, Wren, Tamacti Jun, Harlan and Trovere.

That enjoyment, however, can only be maintained by a willingness to overlook major flaws: a tendency for the story to slow into pointless dreariness and the use of clumsy plot devices, odd coincidences and terrible decision-makers like Korfun to advance the narrative. It’s the third  and final season of See, so the people left watching the show are the ones who like it, and more power to them.

Episode Grade: B-

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